On a hot summer’s day, nothing is worse than attempting to turn down the AC temperature on your thermostat only to find that your unit is blowing nothing but hot air. Remember that the three-month stretch from June to August marks Ohio’s sizzling and wettest months. This means that heat and humidity levels are at an all-time high. So, if your air conditioner isn’t working, it’s probably safe to say you may feel like you are melting.
In all seriousness, we understand that getting your air conditioner back up and running is a top priority. Having a functioning air conditioner is about your comfort and safety, as it provides sufficient airflow and circulation throughout your home. When these things are compromised, they can negatively impact the indoor air quality in your home.
Now, there are several reasons why your AC may not be blowing out cool air, so join your local Five Star Home Services family as we talk about some of the most common reasons why your AC may be blowing out hot (or warm) air and show you the best ways to troubleshoot them.
How to Troubleshoot:
Check the Thermostat
Let’s focus on the thermostat, the central control of your HVAC system. If the thermostat fails, the entire system is affected. A malfunctioning thermostat can’t communicate effectively with your HVAC system, negatively impacting when your AC turns on and off and how it operates. Many AC issues can be traced back to the thermostat. So, if you’re having air conditioner problems, check the thermostat first.
- Verify that the thermostat is powered on and responding. The batteries may need to be replaced (if applicable to your thermostat model.)
- Make sure the thermostat is not set to “heat.”
- Confirm that the thermostat is not set to “on,” but rather is set to “auto.”
Check the Breaker
Is your AC unit powered on? It is possible that the circuit breaker tripped. If your unit is blowing out warm air, this may not be a concern. However, sometimes, it’s still good to check.
Check yours to see if the air conditioner has tripped, and if so, simply flip it back to the “on” position. If this resolves your issue, that’s fantastic! One thing to keep in mind, though, is that if your unit powers back on but continues to trip afterward, there is likely an underlying issue that needs to be addressed by a licensed expert.
Check the Air Filters
A clogged air filter may not seem like too big of a deal, but dirty air filters can cause significant issues when left unchecked. When an air filter becomes overladen with dust and other airborne contaminants, it restricts airflow, which can snowball into more problems with components like the motor, fan, or compressor.
Your air filters should be changed every 1-3 months, depending on the kind you use. This timeframe can vary depending on whether you have pets and system usage. So, if your AC is acting up, it’s a good idea to check your air filters and confirm they are not due for a change.
Check the Evaporator Coils
This next troubleshooting step follows the previous one. Dust or loose debris can build up on the evaporator coil when an air filter gets clogged. Dirty evaporator coils won’t be able to absorb heat from the air as intended, thus restricting the heat exchange required for the cooling process.
To troubleshoot this issue, carefully examine your evaporator coils. If you find they could benefit from cleaning, do so gently. Click here for a detailed explanation of how to properly clean your evaporator coils.
Check for a Refrigerant Leak
Just like your vehicle’s air conditioner requires coolant to blow out cool air, your home’s air conditioning system does. Since your AC’s refrigerant promotes the heat-cold exchange, your system will blow out warm air when it is low (or if there is a refrigerant leak).
Without HVAC certification, you cannot legally acquire AC refrigerant for your system. So, it would be in your best interests to impart this troubleshooting step to a professional. You should, however, keep an eye out for these tell-tale signs of low or leaking refrigerant:
- You can hear bubbling or hissing sounds when the AC is not in use
- You do not feel cool air coming from your vents
- You can see ice on the evaporator coils
Check the Condenser (Outside Unit)
Lastly, let’s talk about your outdoor unit – the condenser. When a condenser’s coils get dirty, they won’t effectively draw out the warm air from your home. This can ultimately lead to the reduced flow of cool air. Unfortunately, this can damage the condenser unit when allowed to go on for some time.
So, what do you do? If your condenser coils are dirty, turn off the power to the unit. (Safety first!) Then, using gloves, carefully rinse off the debris with a water hose. Just be sure to use a gentler setting on your hose. You can set it to a calmer setting like “shower” or a “flat” mode. Stay away from using the “spray” mode. Hold the hose firmly and start spraying from the bottom of the condenser, slowly making your way an inch at a time across the coils from left to right. Be patient and move meticulously. The last thing you want to do is rush and harm the unit. Remember, your HVAC technician can hit more detailed condenser portions on your next regular tune-up and safety check.
Hire Five Star Home Services for Air Conditioner Repair Near You!
Still, experiencing issues with hot air being blown out of your AC? While there are many things you can do yourself to troubleshoot hot air coming out of your AC, sometimes there are still things that are best left to the professionals. So, if you still don’t have a working air conditioner, we are here for you! All our technicians are NATE-certified and have years of accumulated experience. Plus, we offer emergency services 24/7, 365 days a year.
Get your air conditioning system ready for Ohio’s heat with your Five Star family. Call Five Star Home Services today at (614) 333-8590.
